Floral rack



l Aug. 4, 1936. F. A. GILMORE FLORAL RACK Filed May '7, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 4, 1936. F. A. GILMoRE 2,050,171

FLORAL RACK Filed May fr, 1935 s sheets-sheet z Aug. 4, 19362 F. A. GILMORE FLORAL RACK s sheets-sheet s Filed May 7, 19:55

Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITED smrss FATENT FFME 19 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in floral racks, and more particularly to oral racks designed for use in conjunction with the open lids of burial caskets to support flowers, sprays, and other floral pieces thereupon.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a floral rack of the character described which may be readily adjusted from the front. of the burial casket to produce the most effective display of the oral pieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floral rack of the character set forth having novel means for locking or otherwise securing the rack in the position to which it may be adjusted for display purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floral rack of the stated character having novel means for supporting the display frames on a burial casket togeth-er with novelmeans for automatically withdrawing the same when the supporting brackets are swung into the plane of the central or main section thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a floral rack of the above character which will be inconspicuous, capable of supporting iioral designs in different relative positions, and which may be folded and packed in compact form for transportation and other handling.

These and other objects of the invention and the details of construction thereof are set forth hereinafter and shown in Vthe accompanying darwings in which:

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation of a device made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the disclosure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the disclosure in Fig. 1V with the end or extension frames folded inwardly adjacent the main frame of the device;I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end View 0f the device and its component elements in inoperative relation;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to the disclosure in Fig. 4 the supporting bracket having been pivoted into operative position at right angles to Vthe plane of the central or main frame of the device;

Fig. 6 is a view in section on line 6 6, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view in plan of the disclosure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to the disclosure in Fig. 7, the supporting bracket having been pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the invention operatively associated with the open lid of a burial casket in its intended manner.

(Cl. 2li-86) Fig. 10 is an enlarged view in section on line IIL-l0, Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a View in elevation of the disclosure in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged View in section on line |2-l2, Fig. 3; and

Fig. 13 is a view in plan of the disclosure in Fig. 12.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a floral rack for use in conjunction with the lids of burial caskets and made in accordance with the present invention comprises a main or central frame section A composed of longitudinal bars I and transverse bars 2 welded or otherwise secured together to constitute a relatively open mesh structure. The rack also comprises end sections B similarly composed of longitudinal bars la and transverse bars 2a in the manner of the main or central section A previously described, the said end sections B being pivotally connected to said central section A by m'eans of transverse pivot bars 3, which are positioned next inwardly from the respective ends of said section A and arranged to fold inwardly and flatly thereagainst in the manner shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, hollow brackets generally desighated by reference numeral G and comprising channel shaped bars 6 are pivotally mounted on rods 5 adjacent opposite ends of the central frame section A by means of bearings 'l which project outwardly from said bars i5, the hollow brackets it being arranged to swing on the rods 5 to and from positions at right angles to the central frame section A and positions parallel and atly against the saine. A bracket 8 including a hook portion S and a curved leg portion l0 having a toe il is pivoted by means of a pin l2 at one end of the channel shaped bars 6 between said portions l and lf3 thereof, the hook portion 9 of the bracket 8 being arranged to engage the upper open edge oi the open casket lid C as indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings and the curved leg portion l@ thereof at the opposite side of the pin l2 being arranged to engage the open lid C below the upper edge thereof through its toe ll. From the above description of the construction so far it will be obvious that with the bracket 8 and its component elements including the hook portion 9 and leg portion IB in operative position with respect to the upper edge of the open casket lid C as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the rack, including the swinging brackets l and the central and end frame sections A and B respectively, is arranged to pivot about the pins l2, I2 for adust-` ment to any desired angular position with respect to the position of said lid C of the burial casket in the manner indicated.

In the present instance the rack including the previously described frames and swinging brackets 4 may be secured in the position to which it is adjusted by means of a ratchet mechanism comprising links I4, I4 respectively pivoted at I5, I5 to the leg portions I3 of the brackets 8, the opposite ends of said links being provided with cross pins I6, which pass through slots I1, I'I formed in the opposite side members of the channel bars 6. The pins I3 are arranged for engagement with ratchet teeth I8 formed on bars I9, I9 provided with forwardly projecting finger grips 2U and pivoted at 2i between the side members of said channel bars 9 in such manner that subsequent to the positioning of the brackets 3 in operative position with respect to the upper edge of the open casket lid C, the frame section A and the brackets 4 may be swung relatively about the pins I2 causing the cross pins I6 to be moved longitudinally of the slots l?, II until the desired angular disposition of the rack is obtained, whereupon the pins I6 engaging the shoulders of the ratchet teeth I8 in the bars I9 retain the rack in the angular position to which it has been adjusted.

From the foregoing description it will be noted therefore that in operation of the device by a forward pull on the finger grips 2S the bars I9 may be swung about their pivots 2I to release the teeth I8 thereof from engagement by the cross pins I6 for the purpose of permitting the frames and supporting brackets 4 to be swung rearwardly to any desired position and upon releasing the finger grips 20 the teeth I8 of the bars I9 will again engage the aforementioned cross pins I6 and secure the rack in the position to which it has just been swung.

Forthe purpose of supporting floral pieces or sprays on the central or end frame sections A and B respectively of the rack, the swinging brackets 4 are provided with outwardly projecting arms 22, and intermediate the side swinging brackets 4, the main or central frame section A is provided with additional arms 23 which are pivoted to certain of the longitudinal bars I thereof, so that the same may be turned outwardly to a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the central frame section, or laid flatly thereagainst when their use is not desired. Each supporting arm 23 is of a right angle construction composed of arms 24 and 25 disposed at right angles to each other and extending from a bearing 26 which is pivotally mounted on a longitudinal bar I of the frame A, the arm 25 being provided with a slot 2 through which a cross bar 2 extends so that when the arm 24 is swung outwardly away from the main frame A the part 2S of the arm 24 at the outer end of the slot 26 engages the cross bar 2 and maintains said arm 24 in its outwardly projecting position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

In like manner, the end frame sections B, B are provided with folding arm elements 29, 29, a construction similar to the arms 23 on the section A, the only difference being that the main legs 30 thereof are offset laterally with respect to the cross bars 2 with which the short legs 3| of said arms cooperate. Slots 26a are also provided and function in the manner of the slots 26 in the arms 23 on the section A.

When the floral display rack constituting the present invention is not in use, the supporting brackets 4 thereof may be rotated about the bars 5 so that the projecting floral supporting arms 22 thereof will be positioned parallel to the plane of the central frame section A and as has been previously noted the end frame sections B, B are folded or pivoted inwardly with respect to said central section to lie flatly against the latter.

A feature of the invention resides in the novel use to which the folding arm elements 29, 29 on the end frame sections B, B of the rack may be made available, and referring particularly to Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, it will be noticed that a recess 29a is provided at the junction of the substantially perpendicular legs 39 and 3l thereof, so that when the end frame sections B of the rack are folded inwardly at against the main section A thereof, as disclosed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the recessed portion 29a at the base' of the leg portion Si! will snap over the adjacent longitudinal bar I of the central section A and embrace the same in the manner shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. In addition to the above the leg portion 39 is flexed sufficiently to permit the upper end thereof to pass beneath the next upper longitudinal bar I and engage the outer side thereof as shown to relatively interlock the end frame sections B and the central section A and maintain the same in folded position. By this construction the end sections B may be unfolded by merely exerting a pull on the same sufcient to unseat the recess 29a of arm 29 from the bar I and flex the leg 3i) thereof so that the same may e removed from engagement with the next upper bar I.

A novel feature of the invention is present in the provision of cam plates 32, 32 secured to the upper marginal edges of the frame section A and arranged to engage one end 33 of the ratchet bar I9. Accordingly, by virtue of the provision of these cams it will be noticed that when the frame bracket structures 4 are pivoted into inoperative position parallel to the plane of the frame section A the ratchet bars I9 are actuated about their pivots 2I by said cams in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. 5 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. 4 thereof, thus removing the teeth I8 of said bars from engagement with the cross pins I5 of the links I4 and resulting in the actuation of the supporting brackets 8 about the pivot pins I2 in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 5 of the drawings by means of springs 34 into the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In the present instance the springs 34 are connected between links I4 at 35 and the leg portions I0 of the brackets 8 at 35 and function to draw said links and leg portions into straight line position with respect to each other, the brackets 8 rotating about their pivot pins I2 in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 4 of the drawings and the cross pins S of the links I4 sliding upwardly in the slots I1 of the channel bars 6 to withdraw the toes I! of said leg portions from engagement with the lid C of the burial casket and actuate the brackets 8 inwardly until the leg portions I2 thereof lie within the area of the central frame section A as previously set forth.

It is pointed out that while the specific structural details of the invention have been set forth, numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention where the same are within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets mounted thereon, means-pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, li-nks connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth thereon for engagement by said pins, and means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from the pins to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame with respect to said supporting means.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins permitting actuation of the supporting means and the links into substantially straight line position.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins, and a spring connected between said supporting means and links to pivot the same into substantially straight line position upon disengagement of said teeth from the pins.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets having slots therein pivoted to said frame, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links and arranged to travel in the slots in said brackets, bars pivotally carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins permitting actuation of the supporting means and the links into substantially straight line position.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets having slots therein pivoted to said frame, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links and arranged to travel in the slots in said brackets, bars pivotally carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and `means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from said pins to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with resp-ect to said supporting means.

6. VIn a device' of the character described for use in conjunction with the open lid of a burial casket, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame on the upper edge of the open lid of said casket, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars pivotally carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from said pins to permit adjustment vof the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means and the lid of said burial casket.

7. In a device of the character described for :use in conjunction with the open lid .of a burial casket, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon and .arranged for rotation to and from positions perpendicular to the frame and positions flatly thereagainst, means pivoted to said brackets and varranged to .support the latter-and the frame on the upper edge of the open lid `of said casket, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from said pins to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means and the lid of said burial casket.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon and arranged for rotation to and from positions perpendicular to the frame and positions flatly thereagainst, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins permitting actuation of the supporting means and the links intoysubstantially straight line position.

9. In a device of the character described for use in conjunction with the open lid oi a burial casket, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon, means pivoted to said vbrackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame on the upper edge of the open lid of said casket, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from said pins to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means and the lid of said burial casket, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins permitting actuation of the supporting means and the links into substantially straight line position.

l0. In a device of the character described for use in conjunction with the open lid of a burial casket, the combination with a frame, of brackets having slots therein pivoted to said frame, means pivoted to said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame on the 'upper edge of the open lid of said casket, links connected between said last mentioned means and the brackets, pins carried by said links and arranged to travel in the slots in said brackets, bars carried by said brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth for engagement by said pins, means operable to disengage the teeth of said bars from said pins to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means and the lid of said burial casket, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the bars and disengage the teeth thereof from said pins permitting actuation of the supporting means and the links into substantially straight line position.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted on the frame and arranged for rotation to and from positions perpendicular to the plane of the frame and positions atly thereagainst, supports pivoted to one end of said brackets, links pivotally connected between said supports and the brackets, cross pins carried by said links, bars pivotally mounted in the brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth thereon for engagement by said cross pins, means operable to disengage the teeth from the cross pins and permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to the supports, springs connected between said links and supports, and means operable upon rotation of the brackets to engage the ratchet bars and rotate the same to disengage the teeth thereof from the cross pins and allow said springs to actuate the supports and links into substantially straight line position within the area of the frame.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a main frame section of brackets having longitudinal slots therein pivoted to said frame and arranged for rotation to and from positions perpendicular to the plane of the frame and positions flatly thereagainst, supports pivoted to one end of said brackets, links pivotally connected between said supports and the brackets, cross pins carried by said links and engaging the slots in said brackets, bars pivotally mounted in the brackets, said bars having ratchet teeth thereon for engagement by said cross pins, a nger grip projecting from one end of the bars operable to disengage the teeth from the cross pin and permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to the supp-Orts, springs connected between the links and said supports, and means secured to one marginal edge of the frame operable upon rotation of the brackets to engage the adjacent end of the ratchet bars and disengage the teeth thereof from the cross pins and allows said springs to actuate the supports and links into substantially straight line position with the area of the frame.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a main frame section, of end frame sections pivoted to said main section adjacent the ends thereof and arranged to be folded into overlapping relation with respect to the main section flatly thereagainst, and arm elements pivotally mounted on each of said end sections and arranged for positioning substantially perpendicular thereto or atly thereagainst, said arm elements being constructed and arranged so that with said end sections folded flatly against said main section the arm elements engage the main section to lock the end sections in folded relation with respect to said main section.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with a main frame section, of end frame sections pivoted to said main section adjacent the ends thereof and arranged to be folded into overlapping relation with the main section atly thereagainst, said sections being composed of spaced longitudinal and transverse elements cooperating to form a substantially open mesh structure, arm elements pivotally mounted on certain of the longitudinal elements of the main section and arranged for positioning substantially perpendicular thereto or flatly thereagainst, and other arm elements pivotally mounted on certain 0f the longitudinal elements of the end sections and arranged for positioning substantially perpendicular thereto or flatly thereagainst, said arm elements being constructed and arranged so that in the latter position with said end sections folded flatly against said main section the arm elements engage longitudinal elements of the main section to lock the end sections in folded relation with respect to said main frame section.

l5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets mounted thereon, means pivoted to each of said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, and means operatively connected between said brackets and said rst mentioned means to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means 16. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets mounted thereon, means pivoted to each of said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, means operatively connected between said brackets and said rst mentioned means to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame angularly with respect to said supporting means,

and means for securing the frame in the position to which the same is adjusted.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets mounted thereon, supporting means pivotally carried by said brackets, pins operatively connected to said supporting means, bars carried by said brackets and arranged for engagement by said pins, and means operable to disengage said bars from the pins to permit adjustment of the bracekts and frame with respect to said supporting means.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets mounted thereon, means pivoted to each of said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, other means connecting the brackets and said supporting means, toothed means carried by said brackets, means on said other means engaging said toothed means, and means operable to disengage the toothed means and said last-mentioned means to permit adjustment of the brackets and frame with respect to the supporting means.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of brackets pivoted thereon, means pivoted to each of said brackets and arranged to support the latter and the frame, other means connecting the brackets and said supporting means, toothed means carried by said brackets, means on said other means engaging said toothed means, and means operable upon rotation of said brackets to actuate the toothed means and disengage the latter from said last mentioned means.

FLOOD A. GILMORE. 

